Flame arrester



J. D. MEIKLE FLAME ARRESTEB July 3, 1945.

, Filed Oct. 9, 1941' LlseeliS--Sheeizl l/oHN D. MEIHLE July 3, 1945. IJ. D. MEIKLE 2,379,735

FLAME ARRESTVER Filed Oct. 9, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 2//Ir1Illll/lllllfllllllllln'1111111111111111111111lllllll/llllfqfll/Illl,1111

JOHN MEI/11E;

W @www July 3, 1945. Y

Jy. D. Ml-:IKLE 2,379,735

FLAME ARRESTER 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Oob. 9, 1941 ffy JOHN MEIHL y J'.D. MEIKLE FLAME ARRESTER my s, 1945.

' Filed Oof.. 9, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 c/QHN -MEIKLE @M ,fg

Yin safety devices "or Patented July e, 1945 t `2,s79,735"}`yfFLAMEAnRnsTER t g t y "Juhu nliuniiue,ii'atuntrnnunuiuru.L t.`Ainpliuitiun ontoberle,1941;'seria1riu;414,30@

' A faoiaiins. (111.2207815) i.

The present invention relates to improvements flame .arrester`attachments particularly applicableto gasoline tanksand speccally toflame arrester tubing atachments and` the novelstructuraland functionalcharacteristies of the tubing and the means forattaching the saine to atank ller nozzle, particularly of the type usually foundinuse withgasolinetanks.'

For purposes `01sirnplioitypthe following de"-V scriptive matter anddrawings will substantially refer only to the application of the presentin-` vention to automobile gasoline tanksand` their Well `knownconstruction, particularly as `pertains to their respectiver fillerppesor tubesLand their respective. means for :attaching caps thereto.

enceofiire. llurtlier, the foraininoustubingpro,-A

fpreventing the] vsaine ,from entering directly into! vides a` confiningwail and chamber fon the fire;

ithe vtank` chamber proper.H It wouldalso seein the .variation ofpressurestvithin the tank proper and i thatjtvithin" the heatedforaminous tubing `would also play apart in preventing` `full`interrriingling ofV these elements; t t t t-In view of `thepresentstreamlining design of automobiles" and" the `,trend towards' designing'automobiles With ooncealed gasoline"tanks,` the However, itis fullyunderstood they present'inven` tion, its novel constructionfandfunctions, are not' wholly limitedto use and adaptation to the 'fillerpipes of gasoline tanks, but "may also: be equally well adapted for useandfattachrnent to the filler t openings in various Itypes oftanlisfound on'boats,

or foruse withr storage "and"l portable vessels or cans, wherever highlyvolatileliquids having high explosive characteristics are kept incontainers of various sorts. i

Highly' volatile liquids, such as gasoline, tend Y to constantly giveolfhighly'lexplosivevapors or. gases, and these when mixed With a givenamount of oxygen'will readily ignite and explodev in the presence oflire,` high heat,`or'e1eot`ric sparks "of varioustypes. j"

It is a well known principle ifthese highly ex#` plosive vapors' orgases can be keptfrorn freely substantially tamper "proof `againstktloeWitli-` intermingling with the necessaryA given; quantity of oxygen,they can be prevented from exploding in the presence of lre and flame at In this respect it is well lmowninf the art'tl'iat bypositioning i apiece of 'foraminous tubing-hav` ing a closed bottom within tliellerpipe of ia gasoline tank, the danger of explosion of thegas vaporswithin theitank, .when reisintroduced at theliller opening or evenWithin theforaminous` tubing, the gas vapors `Within the tank will notexplode, although any Wet gas orfvapors 4Within the foraminous tubingWill ignite,iburnloffislowly,

and the fire go out,` Within tlieforaminous4 tubing f l Without causingthe gases `Within thetank proper to explode. t t. t i i The theory or`et'xplanation of this phenomena is that the numerousminuteopeningsformed in the foraminous tubing restrict the flow ofoxygen and gases betvveenthe tube and the tank chamber respectively,"thereby preventing `the proper `pro-` manufacturers have beencompelledto"` use gas tanklller ypiping 4having different bends, twists, and"curved offsets,` for purposes of conforming to"` the variousstrueturalelements of the automobile, "hereby"n the ller opening will be`exposedat "a oonvenientpoint atthesideof the car body@` In view of thelabove, it is thepurpose ofthe present invention to provide"neansfor-fintrof Y duc'ing fora'rriifnous` tubing =v`vithin= saidvariously bent, curved and shapedfiller` tubing, the same Y comprisingin`the present instancefaiiiexible type r of foraminous tubing structure,that is substan` i tiallyvself adaptable to the varying curvaturesof gastanlillerlpiping. t t *i Y Another important purpose `jof`the presentin# vention isfto providemeans, comprising detach# ableuclosure for`tl'nailler pipe openingyhaving means fory supporting the `saidforaminous* tubing vvithin the said Vfiller pipe', `vvlfereloy thesaine` is drawal tools."`

'by unauthorized persons" without special 't `Wit-n they introduction,of ifuifaminous tubing withinv gas tank filler` pipes it? has beenfound during manning operation nfftntann une roraininouslhtfubing`interferes with 4high pressure l `.feeding dfgasolin in .the taak. idu@ to .the die placed, air,` Withinthe tank"proper,` in aneffort togetfo'ut `ftlie, tank by Way of the filler pipe rand fnrnunnoustubing,backing upj une. inflowing gasa; line, "whereby thesarne is `caused toflow back l,out oftheller pipe` opening, and overflow the out` sideof'the tank. 'Il`1`is,.hof`eoilrse,i is to the restrictedfdiameter` of4,the tller pipe, forumindus` tubing,` and: the `usual filler nozzleinsertedwithin the tubingduringthelling operation. f

Inview of the abovenit isifthei purpose of` the present invention`toprovideimearis` identified winrsaidiforaminuus tubing, whereby thisdisnnrtionate intermingling" of these elements for i producing explosivet 'characteristics gin` the l presplaced air may pass outf of the" tankby vvayof the rsaid piping and "tubing and past tlie ller nozzle Withoutsubstantially `retardingxthe. high speedor high pressure?feeding` ofgasoline to a tank equipped with a flame arrester foraminous I planes,fighter planes, wherein filling speed is essential. l

With these and other objects in View, the invention consists of certainother novel features of construction and combination of parts as will bespecically described in the following description and claims.

In the accompanying drawings, I have illustrated several for-ms offoraminous tubing structures embodying the'various features of myinvention in their preferred forms.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of my invention of a fiexible type offoraminous tubing and filler closure head shown attached to andpositioned within a curved offset type of gasoline tank ller pipe, thepipe and a fragmentary portion of a gasoline tank being shown insection.

Figure 2 is a sectional plan view, taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1,looking in the. direction of the arrows, illustrating particularly the.manner of attaching the closure filler head to the baying vthe manner ofattaching the closure head for the foraminous tube to the tank fillerpipe opening structure.

Figure 13 is a small fragmentary view of a foraminous tube, and `itsclosure head structure, the upper` portion of |the head structure beingbroken away, illustrating a modified form of meansfor preventing theincoming flow of gasoline from interfering with the release of displacedair from a gasoline tank.

Referring to the drawings by reference numerals, each of whichrepresents the same or similar parts throughout the various views, and

with reference to Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4, the present invention comprisesa, fiexible foraminous tube I, comprising a spirally wound andinterlocking metallic ribbon 2, having perforations 3, the lower end 4,being closed as indicated preferably by a perforated disc member 5 as'indicated.

As shownparticularly in Figure 3, the respective upper and inwardlybentor rolled portions I5 of the spiral ribbon 2 interengage as shown withthe respective lower and oppositely or outwardly bent portions 'I' ofthe respective spirals in their onette type of slot structure of thefiller pipe l opening, the View being slightly enlarged in scale inproportion to Figure 1.

Figure-3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional View,l taken on the line3-3 of FigureV l, looking inthe direction of the arrows, illustratingthe foraminous structure of the spirally Wound flexible tubing and themanner ofl interlocking the spirals of the tube, y

Figure 4 is a small fragmentary view of the flexible foraminous `tubingand a portion of the attaching head structure, illustrating a. yieldingtype of sleeve attached to the tubing for purposes of bypassing air.

Figure 5 is a modified form of flexible flame arrester tub-ing and itsrespective attaching closure head structure, the. same being shownattached to astraight gasoline tank filler pipe,

the latter being shown in section for illustrative DUTDOSES.

progressive turn. It willv bey noted substantially the whole of thespiral ribbon surface, including the bent or rolled interengagingportions 6 and 'I are perforated and foraminous in structure,

thereby presenting a substantially continuous foraminous tubularstructure, including the overlapping portion 8 of the spiral, comprisingin the present instanoefour thicknessesy of the metallic spiral ribbon2. As may be readily seen, this type of structure provides a nexiblespirally wound foraminous tubing ideally suited for the purpose in mind.I Theready flexing'of the tube I provides means whereby the tube isreadily adaptable to various andv divers curved, bent and offset filler.

, pipes for gasoline tanks. v

" Figure 61is` an enlarged sectional view, taken 1 on the line 6 6 ofFigure 5, looking in the direction, of the arrows. l

Figure 'I is a fragmentary View on a reduced scale of a gasoline tankand a curve offsetfiller pipe therefor, illustrating my flexible type offoraminous tubing. and filler headstructure attached thereto, similartov that shown in Figure 5.

Figure 8 is a side elevation of a modiied form of my invention ofaxforam'inoustube and filler Figure 1 is a graphic illustration ofanyinven` tion in.y this respect shown positioned within a curved offsetfiller pipe 9 of a fragmentary portion of a gasoline tank II).

A gasoline dispensing or pump nozzle II is indicated inne dotted lines,shown in normal operative position within the upper portion of theforam-inous tubing I. It may be seen that gasoline, entering the, tubingI under ordinary lling pressures, may be readily dispensed within thetank through `the perforations indicated at 3. In this respect it mightbe well to mention these openings 3 are shown slightly enlarged forillustrative purposes, and in actual practice slightly closer inproximity.

head. structure therefor, disclosing its application to a curved type ofoffset vgasoline tank filler pipe, in this instance the foraminoustubing being vcomposed of a reinforced flexible composition.

Figure 9 is an enlarged sectional view,ftaken on the line 9--9 of Figure8.

Figure l0 is a small detailed elevation of the flexible tubing andfillerV closure head, separated from the tank ller pipe, as shown inFigure 8.

Figurell isla fragmentary sectional'elevation of a rigid typeof'foraminous tube, disclosing the details of thev ller closure head,the-tube member, tank and filler pipe as being partly broken away andpartly in section for illustrative pur- DOSES.

Figure 12 is a fragmentary sectional plan view,

taken on the line I2-I2 of Figure 11,/illustrat- The upper portion ofthe tubing I may be attached to a, supporting closure head structure I2,by rivets I3, or in any suitable manner, and the' head I2 attached tothe filler pipe opening I5I as shown. r

It is the purpose of the present invention to providea device of thepresent type that may be readily attached to the average or standardtype of filler pipel opening, having a bayonette type of slottedstructure I4 at the filler.^pipe opening I5, adaptedto hold the usualtype of filler pipe cap thereto.' 1 1 In the practice of the presentinvention, the usual cap used for the filler opening is removed and`4discarded, ythen the present invention is inserted into the gas tankfiller pipe 9, through the ller opening I5. The flexible forarninoustubing readily adapting itself to the curvature 4of the 4filler pipe 9.The lower portion I6 of the head closure head within the filler open thebosses IT and I1' will be in a constant "pressurethrou'gh the respectivehinge bosses each being `provided with Allen type set screws I8 and I8',respectively, andlthre'adedly engaged to the bosses at I9 and ISQV A lWhen attaching the flame arresterto thefiiller opening, these `Allen setscrews xare screwed in# wardly, i. e., withdrawn l for purposes`ofliroviding' clearance whereby the lbosses `may clear thereVspectiveportions 20 and 20 of the bayontte slot structure of the filleropening I5.M ,Upon "the complete insertion of the lower portion I6'ofthe ing as shown; position where-i` by their respective uppersurfaces2l and 2| "will engage the' respective downwardly directediiange elements of the filler pipe' opening I5 and their respectivebending camsurfaces22 and 225. By

turningthe closure head in a clockwise manner, the said -`cam` surfacestend to draw the closure head member, downwardly,` whereby the concentricshoulder or extension 23, and its beriwasher member 24, are forceddownwardly against the upper lat concentriclsurface 25 "formed about thefiller opening I5,'a`s shown. After the closure` head I2 is turned to a,desired tightness vof en# sagement with` the bayonette slot, and fillerpipe opening structure,` the respective Allensetscrews I8 and I8arescrewed outwardlyuntil theyV each become impinged againstt'ne innersurface `2li of tlieller pipe member 9, as shown in"Figures 1` and 2.This is an important featurefof the inf` vention in that the closurehead may be firmly and tightlyV engaged to `the"filler pipe and held` inpositive clamped fixed relationthereto by the function of the respectivebossesfand setscrews;`

An air vent 35 is provided in theclosure head whereby the gasoline tank`mayl be `supplied `with air for the purpose of The closure head isprovided with a filler open'i ing 2l and a yieldingly closed floatingclosurecap l member 28, the same being heldnormally under l preventing ia `ivalcuum in the tank during the withdrawal of gasoline thereand cappivots 29 and 30, the hinge spring `3| and i the cap supporting leverarm member 32h, thereby providing the additional safety feature of aYiioating closure cap normally heldin` closed position under constantspring tension. Also,'the cap 28 is loosely held to thelever member 32'by the pivot" 3D; therebyenabling the cap to float in'its initialengagement with the upper exposed lip portion 33 of the opening 2`I,"andto adapt itself land its `washer member 34 to" the lip `33 of theopening for propery sealing of the filler opening`.`

The. cap,` lever,I and `springj,3l, also: provide means whereby anyVbackwash of gasoline inv the tankthat strikes the capu34, due tounusual motions of the vehicle,` may `be prevented from being thrown orsplashed1 froin the tank ldue to the spring tension against `theelements of the filler opening closure members. f l

For purposes of providing means for the free release of displaced tankair during the filling operation by way of theller` opening 21, aplurality cfnozzle spacing elements 36,`distributed about the filleropening 21, "as shown, are provided. These spacing members prevent Vthe"gasoline dispensing nozzle "I I from completely [blocking off theiiller opening 2"'I.` The displaced airfrom the tank passes through thespaces 31 4formed between the spacing elements or extensions l3ft.

Where speed is ofthe utmost importance inthe filling of fuel `tanks foraeroplanes', transport certain problems, asto the proper andproportionatelrelease' of displaced tankjair las the tank i is beingfilled and also particularly 'due to thel small size ofwthe ller` pipesencountered "on standard types of equipment Undersuch forceful feedingthe` inrushing gasoline tenclspasit` leaves the dispensing nozzle whenpositioned inside the filler pipe, to spread out, and thus cause 4the`filler `pipe to becomelmore `or`lles`s choked with gasoline, therebyconstantly `in?"` creasing the air pressure within the tank. This airpressure is soon built up toy a point thatlis, suflicientto cause theincoming gasoline choking the ler Pipe to be blown backagainstjthepresfj sure and force of the incoming gasoline; theres,

by` causing igeyers of gasoline` to be `forced from" the filler opening.This is both dangerous `as a' `re hazard, unsafe for the operator, andafwastely up the time for fllingithe i `To this end the 4presentinvention has 'aportion l of its foraminous tubingblanked out, with,par-L ticular `reference to Figure 4,1asshown at"40.\"In the presentinstance, this blanking` out is `acco'nb` plished byf, the ,application`of `a bootor sleeve. member 4I, which may ibeucomposedz: of` canvas;ra` rubber impregnated fabric, or `inasome' irl-J` stances, whereflexibility for the e-ntire length of the tubing is not ofvparamount(importancia,l a

light.` metallic sleeve may` be` fixed to, the `tubing by `any `suitable`means such as by soldering'lor riveting. y i 3 o 1` `Inithe 'presentinstancelthe lexiblesleeve'llf isindicated as beinglheld`in;placefbyjltightly wound and twisted copper wire at 42 and. 42C` respectively, ber.` l ,l l `Asmay `be `readily notedthe sleeve'M*` is sointermediatelypositioned in respect to` the fo'- raminous` tubing`structure` as to'` leave afs'mall portion 43of the foraminous tubingexposed fat the top, i.` e.,-between the uppeipend ofthesleeve 4I :andthelower-portion I61of the closurehead.`

at theopposite ends of the sleeveinern` A comparatively larger portion`of Athe foraminous tubing ;is1 exposed at 44, below the `bottomfe'ndof'theysleeve 4I. I l Y l Thus when this form of the invention-is-positionedin the gas ltank, filler pipe` 9`,-thegopen1 end of the,gasoline nozzle, Aas indicated inafinc dotted lines aus, i winne innxt-spostiamo `me area of the `foran'iinous flexible the boot orsleeve-,member 4I. `Therebyprovid-` Y ing` meanswhereby the emission `ofgasolinefrom theller'nozzle 45 will'takeplace initiiepzone covered'bythe i, sleeve member,` presenting planes, busses, armored tanks, andheavy duty self-propelledvehicles, it isnecessary-to use` a blanked outconcentric area i between the inner wall of ,the` tank pipe 9 and the`sleeve"member;

Thus this fportion ofthe tank piping :isfkeptffree of gasoline enteringthe exible tubememberdirect by way of the nozzle. It has been foundthat`byblanking'off only aportionof theforaminous 3 much highery pressurefor delivery of thexfuel@ from the dispensing nozzle into the fuel`tanks; This'forceful `feeding of gasoline, has presented tube coveredI,by

tubing in'l the manner shown,` is sufficient lto allow freef'passage-ofdisplaced ltank air, "during the Vfilling operation, ytothe outsideatmosphere byl way of the Yconcentric passage,"-referred to above,D andthence entering the f oraminous -tubing by way of `the perforations atthe exposed portion of the tubing at 43, passing the .filler nozzle451andnally toI the atmosphere through. the opening 21 of the closurehead.y .j

i VThis releasing of displacedtankair will be furtherv discussedyhereinafter, as to-.modified forms' of the invention, the function andbroad principle .being substantially the samelin -each instance.4 y

`It should be understood the flexible type 'o foraminoustubing, as shownparticularly in Fig# ure'll, may bewblanked outas to that'portion of itsspirally` .wound .ribbon structure,l whereby the blank lornon-foraminous portion of the tubing would appear'at the. same relativeposition as the covered portion ofthe tubingas shown in `.Figure 4,without the .necessity of using ay separate boot or sleeve member.

l Figures 5, 6 and. 7 sho-W a slightly modified form of comparative orsemi-flexible foraminous seamless tubing B. Itisfunder'stood butt weldedtubing mayalso be used; s l l y The closure head and tube supportingstructure 5| is similar to that shown in Figure 1 and hereinbefore`described, andzalso the manner and means for engaging thesame to thefiller pipe 52 anditsrespectiveopening 53. l

-Inthe present instance the foraminous tubing 50 is corrugated oraccordion shaped,-comprising large and small concentric portions 54 and55, frespectively, as shown. *The upper portion 56 of thetubingibeingxedly engaged to the closure head 5|y by rivets-51, asshown, and the bottom opening 58 is'closed by aperforated closure capmem-- ber 59, ,andixed thereto. by bra'zing or" rolling 'the angedconcentric edges together as shown in Figure 5. a

It will be noted the foraminous portion A60 is not distributed over thewhole surface of the tubing 50as is the case' with the flexible tubingshown in Figure 1. In the present instance, the tubing5ll'is providedwith a slightly modified form of placement ofthe holes or perforations`6| comprising the foraminous portionsv of thev tube. `As shown inFigures 5 and 6, the tube is provided with three separate foraminouscolumns or elongated areas 62, 62" and 62", running substantiallyparallel with the tube axis but followingthe general contour ofthe largeand small concentric elements 54 and 55, respectively. Thisforan'iinousconstruction provides a greater nurnber,v of holes for agiven area in proportion to a straight smooth walled tube, i. e., if thetube'5 wasstraightened out vthe foraminous columns 62, 62' and 62" wouldbe much longer than they appear in the contracted tubular structure 50.Thus the lengthwise 'restricted fcraminous portions of the tube aresubstantially compensated for. Between each forarninous column 62, 62and 62", are substantially'equally sized elongated bankportions 63, 63"and, 63". 'I'hus providing meansin aame arrester of `this type, ,wherebythe inflowing gasoline is emtted'fronr the tube ina somewhat restrictedmanner .from the for-.- aminous columns 62e, 6,2 and 62, and thedisplaced tank air is substantially free too move.

to the 4atmosphere via theV portionsof the concentric passage 64 free ofincoming. gasoline, through the perforations 65 at the upper lportion tovarying conditions and desired results.

66l of-the ,intermittently` spaced .foraminous pot tionsofthe tube- 50.j

For -purposes of .varyingthe coefficient of flex-.- ibilityA of Athevtube 56, the large and small .concentric `bellows portions 54 and'55,respectively, be decreased or increased in size as to thick.- ness,thereby increasing orfdecreasing, respectively, the number ,of thesetube portionsfor agiven length. g l. i

Figure 7 illustrates the applicationofthe semiflexible foraminoustubingand closure head 58 and 5I, respectively, to'an offset4 orgooseneck typeof bent filler pipe` 61, .and tank-portion 66.

Figures `8, ,9 and 10 illustrate anothermodified form of my invention,inthat the foraminous tube member 10 is'composed of areinforcedexiblematerial, havinga reinforce of woven wire', as indicated at.-1I.'-In thiseinstance, the holes 12,. forming` the foraminous portion `ofthe tube memberffare positioned between the interstices ofthe woven wirereinforce. r This particular form ofthe inventionmaybe molded into anintegral structure having an integral foraminous bottom structure13,-upperand lower foraminous por-y tions 14 and `15 respectively, and a.non-foratuinous orclosedwall portion 16, positioned between thetsaidupper and` lower portions.

The upper open endof the fiexibleforaminous tube .10k may be suitably`fixed to the lower portion I6 of lthe closureheadmember `11` by aconven-v tional clamp strap18,` a-sv shown. The details'of the closuremember ;|.1, bothas to istructure, function `and application, aresimilar to those shownand described asto .Figure 1. f Also the function,operation( and inherent advantages of `the closure' head 11 and tube 10are similar to those. described. and identified with Figures 1, 2, 4, 5and 6,.as` to the dame arrester n function, the means for fillingv a'gas tank by high pressure injection, andthe ready release'ofdisplacedtank-air.` I

Referring to Figure 8,.the blank or non-foraminous tube portion 16,:aswell as the upper and lower'foraminousy portions 14 and y15,respectively,` may be` raised both as to their individual lengths andvrelative proportional position to the openingiw` of the tank fillerpipe 80 and the opening `8| ofithe tank member 82.

Thus providingmeansl in this respect, adaptable This principle isadaptable to the forms of the invention shown andV described herein. r

l .With Lparticular .refe'rencetoy lower foraminous section15 of theflame arrester tube 10, it ywill beinoted the holes `12 of this section`beginat a point4 below the tank opening BI and'that the blank-portion16 of the flame arrester tube asA to itsA lower end, -is positionedwithin the tankcham ber, thus providingl specific meansmto preventgasoline -from being fed intothe substantially concentric airpassagewithin the tank filler pipe 80, by way ofthe 'lower foraminoussection 15. The displaced'tankairv isi entirely free to reach theatmosphere by :way-of the passage Iforaminous section `14 and openclosure head member I11, which of course is always-normally open-duringthe tank filling operation. Referring to Figures 11 and 12,the'invention in this 4instance is shown in operative position andengagement with a gasoline tank 83, and its respective andAattachedfller pipe 84, thersame having a bayonette slottype of openingstructure 85, similarto those shown and described in the precedingfigures of the drawings in this respect.

In thepresent instance the invention comprises a closure head member 86,detachably engaged to the said filler pipe opening structure 85, in themanner as hereinbefor'e described for this portion of the invention, asshown in Figure l.

Suitably attached, by' rivets 81, tothe lower portion I 6 of the closurehead, is a, flame arrester tube 88, comprising upper and lowerforaminous end portions 89 and 90, respectively. The bottom opening 9|,of the lower portion of the tube is provided with a sunken foraminousclosure vmember 92, the same being held in\ fixed relation to the tubeby the inwardly disposed rolled edge of the tube, as indicated at 93, inFigure 11.

Between the upper and lower foraminous tube sections 89 and 90,respectively, is a closed wall or non-foraminous tube section 94 asshown.

The upper foraminous tube section 89 providing Numerous tests have beenmade as to the broad principles of design as herein disclosed, and foundto be entirely satisfactory, bothlas to high speed lling and the safetyfactor of the flame arrester feature. In respect to the testsrelating tothe latter feature, the closure head coverwould be opened and thegasoline "vapors ignited with a means for the free passage of displacedvtank air,

during the lling of the tank, as indicated by the arrows 95. It will benoted, the lower foraminous tube section 90 is positioned wholly withinthe gasoline storage chamber y96 of the tank 83, and

spaced below the restricted` tank opening 91. 1

Thus it may be readily seen, during theflling operation, gasolineentering the flame arrester tube 80 at the non-foraminous section 94,via the gasoline dispensing v.nozzle 98 will not be emitted into theconcentric air passage 99 between the tube 80 and the tank pipe 8,4,butwill leave the flame arrester tube by way of the lower foraminoustube section 90 at a point inside the tank chamber 96 and belowtheopening 91 of the tank, as indicated by arrows |00. Thereby keepingthis lopening free of incoming gasoline and permitting the displacedtank air to move in an unobstructed manner via the opening 91,concentric air passage 99, upper foraminous section i 89, closure headopening 21 and thence` tothe outside atmosphere. c i

This relative location of therespective tube sections 09, 90 and 94,thus provides meansfwhereby the feeding of gasoline into theconventional type of storage tank, through its respective ller pipe maybe done at comparatively high speeds and pressures.

Figure 13 discloses a flame arrester tube I 0I with a fragmentaryportion of the lower part I6 match, with gasoline in the tank, thevapors igniting immediately, `with a blue and partially yellow llame.`Upon-the vapors being burned out the ames would go out and the gasolinewithin the tank would be unaffected, and immune from the vapor flames`and resultant heat. .l I have thus described my invention specificallyand in detail in order that its nature, operation and construction maybe fully understood; however the specilc terms herein are useddescriptivelyra'ther than in their limiting sense, .andthe scope of theinvention is defined in the claims.

What I claim as new and desire-to secure by `Letters Patent is:

1. The combination with a liquid fuel storage tank and its respectivefiller pipe attached thereto, of a flame arrester attachment, comprisinga closure head and a flexible tubular member attached at one end to saidclosure head and covered at its opposite end, means for xedly engagingsaid closure head to said tank filler pipe,

Vsaid tubular member` comprising a spirally wound interlockingforaminous rilrvbonl structure, providing means for adapting saidtubular :member` to divers curved and bent tank filler pipes, and alsomeans for restricting the free intermingling and flow of outsideoxygen'and the explosive gaseous vapors'thrown off from liquid fuelwithinsaid tank, said flexible tubular member comprising separateforaminous sections, and means for preventing the flow of saidliquidintroduced into said tubular member at another sectional `portion ofsaid tube, said means comprising an adjustable sleeve or cover elementattached tothe flexible tube member, whereby a predetermined portion ofthe foraminous area of the said tubular member may be selected to beblocked olf and rendered ineffective as to the emitting of said liquidfuel from this covered area.

of the closure head shown attached thereto. In A engaging a metallicsleeve |02 over that portion` of the tube desired to be covered, by spotsoldering 2. The combination with a liquid fuel storage tank and itsrespective filler pipe, of a flame arrester, comprising a closure headand a flexible corrugated tubularmember attached at one endV to saidclosure head and covered at its opposite end, means forxedly engagingsaid closure head to said tank filler pipe, said tubular membercomprising alternate parallel ridges and groovesand also separateisolated foraminous areas, having means `for adapting said tubularmember to divers curves .and bent tank filler pipes and for restrictorthe like, as indicated at |03. Thus upperand 1 lower foraminous tubesections |04 and |05, respectively, are provided, as well as a blankeclor non-foraminous tube section |06 is provided.

This structure has all the functional advantages, as referred tohereinbefore, with respect to the features of the invention disclosediny Figure 11. Y

ing the free intermngling andj flow of outside oxygen and the explosivegaseous vapors thrown kolf from liquid fuel within said tank,` saidforamlinous areas being separated-by non-foraminous areas, said latterareas providing means for substantially unrestricted escape of displacedtank vapors during the lling of the tank through saidr tubular member.4,

JOHN D, MEIKLE.

